Five Takeaways: Canes Survive Irish Rally in Beck’s Debut

/0 Comments/in , /by

Photo Credits @CanesFootball

Miami Gardens, FL – The Miami Hurricanes held on for a wild 27-24 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday night, opening the Carson Beck era with plenty of drama. It was a night that started with control, turned shaky late, and ended with a clutch kick and a defense that sealed the deal. Here are five takeaways from a memorable season opener at Hard Rock Stadium:

1. Carson Beck Brings Stability at Quarterback

The Georgia transfer gave the Canes exactly what they needed after losing Cam Ward to the NFL: poise, leadership, and efficient decision-making. Beck finished 20-for-30 with 205 yards and two touchdowns, including a 28-yard strike to true freshman Malachi Toney. His calm presence stood in contrast to Notre Dame’s redshirt freshman CJ Carr, who looked rattled at times in the hostile environment.

2. Miami’s Receivers Can Play

One of the biggest offseason questions was whether Miami had enough talent at wide receiver. The Hurricanes lost their top six pass-catchers from last season, leaving Beck to build chemistry with an entirely new group. Those concerns were silenced early. True freshman Malachi Toney looked dynamic in his debut, catching six passes for 82 yards and the game’s opening touchdown. CJ Daniels, another new face, delivered the highlight of the night when he hauled in a one-handed touchdown grab just before halftime. For a room that entered the year under heavy scrutiny, this was as strong of a statement as Miami could have made.

➡️ Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ on X: “HOLY BLEEP CJ DANIELS”

3. Defense Delivered When It Mattered Most

Miami’s new look defense set the tone early and came up huge late. Rueben Bain Jr.’s tip-drill interception in the fourth quarter stopped a potential Irish rally, and the final two sacks in the closing minute sealed the win. The Canes finished with three sacks and forced two turnovers — the kind of disruptive performance fans have been waiting to see.

4. Conservative Play Calling Nearly Cost Miami

After the opening possession of the second half, Miami’s offense stalled out, going three-and-out on four consecutive possessions. The run-heavy, conservative approach gave Notre Dame life, and the Irish capitalized to tie the game at 24. Mario Cristobal’s staff got away with it this time thanks to Carter Davis’s clutch field goal, but the approach will draw questions moving forward.

  • Three straight runs after the momentum-changing interception when already in field goal range.

  • Three straight runs with a chance to put the game away late.

Cristobal has carried a reputation for clock-management issues, and now the conservative play calling nearly cost Miami the game.

Let’s see if they build more trust in Beck down the stretch.

5. Carter Davis Is Clutch

In his Hurricanes debut, the FAU transfer kicker calmly drilled two field goals, including the 47-yard game-winner with just over a minute left. With Miami’s offense sputtering late, Davis became the difference-maker in front of a program-record crowd of 66,793 (much larger than any FAU crowd). If this game is any indication, Miami finally has a reliable kicker it can trust as the season progresses.

Bottom Line

The Hurricanes showed flashes of dominance, then made things harder than they needed to. But a win is a win, and against a top opponent, Miami proved it can win ugly, survive tense moments, and lean on new leaders. For a fan base starving for progress, this was a season-opening thriller worth celebrating.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Big-time fourth-quarter heroics saved the Sparks in the win over the touring Mystics

/0 Comments/in , /by

Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby kept the Sparks from folding against the visiting Mystics. Despite Washington being eliminated from playoff contention, they tried to play spoiler, hanging around until the end. Los Angeles’ flimsy playoff hopes stay alive with six games remaining, the last three being at home. 

The Sparks took first blood with a 12-0 run. They flashed a 2-3 zone early, plus benefited from missed open shots while holding Washington to 16.7% first-quarter shooting.  Rickea Jackson built most of LA’s 11-point lead, making two trays on and off the dribble, plus got to the line. Cameron Brink came off the bench, warping drives to the basket, too.

 

Then the Mystics tied the game with Sonia Citron on the bench by cracking the zone for an inside finish, scoring on the break after a turnover, Kiki Iriafen making a right-side jumper, Jade Melbourne downing a left-side triple, and Lucy Olsen stealing (her fourth) and scoring in Washington territory for a layup.  But the Sparks countered with a 16-7 run, pulling away in the fast lane as the visitors went cold.

 

The Sparks led 40-31 at intermission, setting an 11-2 edge in fastbreak points. Iriafen was the only Mystic starter to log more than a field goal (3), and the other four combined for 18.1% shooting in the first half. 

 

Iriafen followed up with cutting layups and a midrange jumper, but her teammates were allergic to the net for almost nine minutes. On the other side, the Sparks’ ball movement exposed the guests, and they raised their advantage to 14, but they got too comfortable. The edge was cut to six heading into the fourth on a late burst from Lucy Olsen, Emily Engstler, Shakira Austin and Citron. 

 

The Mystics were like a fighter with a second wind in the championship rounds, and they took their first lead of the game nearly 2 minutes into the fourth on a drive-and-kick triple set up for Stefanie Dolson. Yet Plum, who had made one of seven shots through three quarters, punished Washington from the outside and sliced inside, and Hamby’s rim pressure broke down the Mystics. The former had 14 of her 18 digits in the fourth. 

 

The Sparks won 81-78 while being outscored off the bench by 17. Their record improved to 18-20.

 

At her on-court interview, Plum said it’s the point of the season when everyone is tired and praised her teammates for their resolve and ball screen defense. She knew she would get loose, and they had no answers for her off-ball movement and pull-up shots when she did.  

 

What Must the Miami Dolphins Do to Shed the “Soft” Label?

/0 Comments/in , /by

For decades, the Dolphins have carried a reputation pinned on them by both the media and their own fans, a reputation born from an inability to beat teams with winning records, an inability to win in the cold when the season is on the line, and an organizational culture that too often seems fragile.

This stigma is magnified by history. The Dolphins have not won a playoff game since the year 2000, twenty-five years ago. That is the longest active playoff winless streak in the four major sports, and the second-longest drought of winning a playoff series, behind only the Cincinnati Reds who last did it in 1995. This is the worst company a sports franchise can keep. For Miami, every “glimmer of hope,” every “different feeling” ends the same way, disappointment and the eternal “what if?”

Maybe the label sticks because it is an easy punchline about an aquatic mascot, but there is plenty of evidence fueling the consensus. The Dolphins have beaten their division rival Buffalo Bills only once in the Mike McDaniel era. They are 2-13 in games played at 40 degrees or below since 2014, the worst mark in the NFL. They consistently struggle against playoff-caliber teams. To make matters worse, their offensive identity has been framed around speed and finesse, which feeds the narrative, especially when the team falters in short-yardage situations or when their star quarterback’s durability is questioned.

But the truth is the “soft” label is a misnomer. There are no soft teams in the NFL. Every player is among the toughest athletes in the world, forged by years of grueling practices and sacrifices to reach the highest level. The Dolphins’ issues are not about toughness. They are systemic. They are the result of bad coaching hires, poor roster management, injuries, and instability at the most important position in sports.

The revolving door at quarterback tells the story as clearly as anything. Since Dan Marino retired, Miami has tried Jay Fiedler, Gus Frerotte, Daunte Culpepper, Chad Pennington, Chad Henne, Ryan Tannehill, Jay Cutler, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and now Tua Tagovailoa, among others. Coaches have come and gone just as quickly: Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban, Cam Cameron, Tony Sparano, Joe Philbin, Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and now Mike McDaniel. Every regime promised to be the one that changed the culture, yet the cycle always reset after a few disappointing years.

To shed the label, Miami has to do more than talk about being tougher. They need to build a culture that values accountability, resilience, and execution. That means not just flashing speed in September but winning games in December, on the road, against playoff teams. It means proving they can win at the line of scrimmage and not wilt when conditions are not perfect.

Signs of progress are beginning to show. Reports this offseason have pointed to players staying after practice, locker room problems being addressed, and strong leaders added to a young core. These are the right steps. But until the Dolphins finally win in January, the perception will not change.

The “soft” label is not about individual players. It is about twenty-five years of dysfunction. The only way to silence it is not with words, but with wins. A playoff victory is the only answer. Until that happens, fair or not, the narrative will live on.

******

Use the code FIVE at PrizePicks.com for $50 to play fantasy sports.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: “I’m the human definition of ‘stay ready so you don’t have to get ready’”: Sims and Fever break LA’s heart

/0 Comments/in , /by

Odyssey Sims nailed a left-handed floater in the lane, lifting the Fever to their 21st win and sinking the Sparks perhaps out of the playoff race. It was her first visit back to LA against the team that waived her on July 2. Aside from the Fever exposing the paint for 52 digits, they outscored LA on second chances (16-5), on the break (13-10) and points off turnovers (23-8).

 

The Sparks had an early 10-point lead but that vanished quickly. The fourth quarter started with the Sparks ahead 58-57. Azura Stevens was a problem for the Fever as she barreled into the paint for two layups and downed a 3-pointer. But they keyed in on Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum, holding them to zero points on three second-half attempts. 

 

Sims totaled 21 points, including nine in the fourth quarter on runners in the lane and a wing triple, plus logged three assists and six boards. 

 

After the game, Sims said, “I haven’t been with the team long, but each practice, each game, [We’re] getting better. We have two other new players along with myself, so [we’re] continuing to gel, like [Boston] said… tonight wasn’t pretty, but the most important thing, we came out with the W.”

 

Aliyah Boston also scored six of her 22 points in the fourth quarter as the pendulum swung back and forth six times late. Notably, she missed her first five attempts but made her next 11 of 13 tries, including eight in a row between the first and third quarter.

 

Coach Stephanie White was pleased with her team’s defense and discipline. “The selfless nature of this group just can’t be overstated, and that’s why we are able to be in positions like this that we are able to be in.”

 

The Fever remain the sixth seed, three games ahead of ninth place (Sparks) and one in front of eighth (Valkyries), with five matches left on the calendar. Their games against the Sky (Sept. 5) and the Lynx (Sept. 9) will be in Indiana, but the others versus the Valkyries (Aug. 31), the Mercury (Sept. 2) and the Mystics (Sept. 7) are away.

 

 



What Does Adding Rasul Douglas do For the Dolphins Defense?

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins recently signed Rasul Douglas, ending a long-awaited arrival as Miami has been in contact with Douglas all off-season.

Miami Dolphins Sign Veteran CB Rasul Douglas to One-Year Deal

Head coach Mike McDaniel said in his press conference Thursday when asked if Rasul was signed to start, “we aren’t in the business of handing over those positions, especially in a competitive environment” Talks about how the Dolphins are better because of Rasul.

So, what does Rasul Douglas do and how can he elevate this Dolphins defense?

Two years ago, I would have said a lot, Douglas was one of the NFL’s top corners, recording 4+ interceptions for three years straight, while being a sure tackler and allowing a less than 65% completion percentage across the three seasons. This all came to a screeching halt for Douglas as last season he allowed a 72.9% completion percentage and a 122-passer rating, among the NFL’s worst.

Yet, Douglas will have a chance, due to the talent level in the Dolphins corner back room. The Dolphins are rolling out, second-year undrafted free agent Storm Duck, inconsistent Jack Jones, and rookie Jason Marshall Jr. with little to no depth behind them. So although McDaniel says there are no handouts, Douglas comes in as the most prolific, proven player and will make an immediate impact for the Miami Dolphins.

Douglas comes in as a sure tackler, something Miami has always struggled with, Douglas has a nose for the ball and isn’t afraid to make a tackle. The Dolphins added a lot of sure tacklers this offseason which will surely help limit the explosive plays after contact.

Douglas is reliable- he doesn’t miss games; he has appeared in all but 12 games in 9 seasons and has played in at least 87% of defensive snaps each season since 2020. The Dolphins are notorious for health issues, and Douglas could be the glue that holds the unit together.

The veteran the cornerback room needs: Douglas comes in as Miami’s oldest corner and can mentor this young room, something he did in Buffalo with Christian Benford, Kaiir Elam, and in Green Bay with Jaire Alexander. Douglas can also help lead Jack Jones. A very talented player that has dealt with off the field issues, something he has personally addressed. Douglas will come in as a leader, and his leadership will be essential to the development of the room.

Most importantly, it’s what he can bring on the field. Even after a down year Miami is giving Douglas the proverbial prove it deal. Douglas, primarily a zone corner, fitting right in with Anthony Weaver’s defensive scheme. Douglas’s worst work this past season was in man, and with Miami’s versatility across the secondary will enable Weaver to create a scheme to play to his defense’s strengths.

Grier on adding Douglas

“He’s been a player that’s very smart, instinctive, tough, competitive, so I’m really happy to add him to the group,”

Douglas has the profile to help Miami succeed but he is on the casual cornerback downfall, lose their man-to-man skills, sign a deal late in camp, and have to prove that they can be who they once were. For Douglas he benefits from having Anthony Weaver by his side, and a young hungry defense that coach Weaver gave great praise to last season, giving them a comparison to Dolphins “No-Name Defense” of the seventies.

The Dolphins have bolstered their secondary with a veteran presence in Rasul Douglas, whose experience, tackling prowess, and leadership address critical needs in a young and injury-prone cornerback room. Under Anthony Weaver’s guidance, Douglas’s zone-coverage skills align perfectly with Miami’s versatile defensive scheme (which will be a learning curve for Douglas), offering a chance to rediscover his elite form. As the Dolphins aim to solidify their defense and compete in a tough AFC, Douglas’s signing could be the spark that transforms a promising unit into a formidable one, reminiscent of the gritty “No-Name Defense” of the past.
Miami Hurricanes

The 2025 Miami Hurricanes Will Embrace History

/1 Comment/in , /by

From one perspective, the Miami Hurricanes’ history is a burden. The Canes’ run of dominance from the early 80s to early 20s hits a sweet spot of recent enough for living memory and far enough away to have not been in the current players’ lifetimes.

In a way, the players are responsible for a legacy that was created before their lifetimes. That can appear unfair and serve to put undo pressure on them.

That pressure is enough to crush weaker teams. And we’ve seen it do just that. Do that for damn near 25 years.

But the 2025 Miami Hurricanes are not one of those teams.  

Embrace History and Write A New Chapter

Mario Cristobal helped write the legacy that the current Canes are saddled with. It’s one thing to talk about something, it’s a completely different thing to know what you’re talking about.

Cristobal knows the work, the exacting detail, the pursuit of excellence that is needed to sustain greatness. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are football programs.

For 3 years, Cristobal has laid the foundation upon which a perennial contender is built on. This team is deep, tough, and ready to win. The roster is vastly different from the one that was inherited 3 years ago.

But that was largely “expected.” Even Cristobal’s biggest detractors will acknowledge that he is one of the better recruiters and roster builders in college football. So, why is this team going to excel beyond the 10-win mark that the 2024 Canes reached? Well, because the Coach has also improved year on year.

While Cristobal has never been short of critics, it is apparent he is his own harshest critic. An offseason has not gone by without decided moves to upgrade player personnel, coaching, and plug gaps to crescendo to this point. This team is ready, willing, and able to win now. 

And enter Carson Beck.

Beck is the perfect QB to team up with Cristobal on the next step. They are largely mirror images. Despite a lot of winning, and a resume that is the envy of most people in their positions, both the Head Coach and his Quarterback are the subject of irrational barbs. 

The QB can’t play on this level despite QBing an SEC team to a 24-3 record as a starter and the coach is a QB killer despite coaching NFL All Pro Justin Herbert and the #1 Pick in last year’s draft.

A tradition as old as time. Nothing invites skepticism quite like putting a U on your clothing or helmet. But is it warranted?

In 2025, the answer is absolutely not. You have a coach that has increased his win total every year at Miami, and won 10 last year. You have a QB that is 24-3 as a starter. What is there to be skeptical about? That something always goes wrong?

Not this time. Not for this team. Not now. Something always goes wrong until it goes right. This is the year.

Rather than be burdened by the weight of expectations from past and the legacy of recent failures the 2025 Hurricanes are poised to add a chapter to their illustrious history, not be defeated by it. 

Catholics Versus Convicts

The 2025 football season arrives into this historical context with a rivalry of yore. In a way, a Miami-Notre Dame game of this stature should be a revival for college football. A thing to be celebrated.

The issue is that this particular rivalry is also tinged with racism. There was nothing that was ever “convict” about Miami. But acting a certain way will always make a certain segment of our most bigoted populace feel uncomfortable. And at the height of this rivalry, the Canes didn’t do things “the right way,” which meant they embraced the diversity of the background of their players and allowed them to be who they are as people.

What should have been a story of triumph and of hope became one of bigotry. The legacy of that bigotry lives on today in much the same way that the legacy of wins and championships live on. Look at this analysis of the Canes from a Notre Dame show:

source: https://x.com/GrantSpeaks1/status/1961425325495062734

What exactly makes a bunch of college students “unintelligent thugs?” We already know the answer. They’re Canes. And being a Cane means having to endure racism like this. It’s part of the legacy. Look at the alacrity with which they bask in their bigotry.

And they “love it.” So how should we as the offended party respond?

We could point out this person celebrating his co-host’s “unintelligent” comment either does not know the Saffir-Simpson scale goes up to Category 5 or does not think too highly of his own team.

We could point out that you’d have better discourse with a pastelito than with a person making the “brilliant” point that Miami’s greatest strength and weakness is that they are “unintelligent thugs.” Pro-tip: when you’re calling someone else “unintelligent” it is wise to not do so in service of making a point that is completely incoherent.

This could be a teaching moment. A moment where we pause and talk about the hurtful legacy of harmful stereotypes. Of bigotry baked into society.

But it wouldn’t matter anyway. These people are gone. It’s one thing to blurt out some racist comment like this and realize you’ve erred. It’s another to be so conditioned to living in that bigoted world that you casually blurt out “unintelligent thug” to thunderous applause from your co-hosts. 

And if this season is about one thing, it’s about embracing our past to build our legacy of the future. So my response to these 4 Horsemen of the Caucapolis is this:

KISS MY BROWN ASS

Don’t come down to Dade County with that attitude.

You are not talking about faceless “thugs.” You are talking about our sons and brothers, our uncles and fathers. You are talking about our people.

MY PEOPLE

No one talks about my people like that. 

The Canes are ready to take on you and all comers. Category 5 style. As the real Mayor of Dade County once foretold:

I don’t know what this world’s gonna doBut I know one thing that this is the life for meBaby cause I’m a thug

It’s a Canes Thing, You Wouldn’t Understand

Vishnu Parasuraman is a show host and writer for @FiveReasonsSports. He covers the Miami Hurricanes Football for @SixthRingCanes Miami Hurricanes Basketball for @buckets_canes , and Miami Hurricanes Baseball for @CanesOnDeck as part of the @5ReasonsCanes Network. You can follow him on twitter @vrp2003

Nikola Jović: Why All the Hype?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Nikola Jović: Why All the Hype?

Nikola Jović was drafted 27th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. Now in his third season, he has averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 45% from the field, 37% from three, and 80.4% from the line. While his growth has been steady, he has yet to play 50 games in a season due to injuries, the latest being a fractured right hand that cut short his 2024–25 campaign. Despite these setbacks, the hype around Jović is louder than ever.

I wrote this piece back in January-Nikola Jovic: The Heat’s Emerging Star

A Modern NBA Build

Standing at 6’10” and around 210 pounds, Jović possesses a coveted frame in today’s NBA. He can handle the ball, create for teammates, and stretch the floor as a shooter. The Heat drafted him as a raw prospect, but his unique blend of size and skill has always hinted at something more — a potential “point forward” who can bend defenses in multiple ways. His frame still needs added bulk for interior battles, but the foundation is there.

Career Overview and Growth Trajectory

Jović’s development has mirrored the classic Miami Heat blueprint: patient, gritty, and incremental.

  • 2022–23 (Rookie Season): Limited to 29 games due to a back injury, averaging 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 13.6 minutes. Poor perimeter shooting (22.9% from three) and defense lagged.
  • 2023–24 (Sophomore Season): Earned consistent minutes, starting in 38 of his 46 games. Averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20.5 minutes. Shot 38.7% from three, and had dependable defense, closing the season strong and building trust with coach Erik Spoelstra.
  • 2024–25 (Third Season): Career highs across the board — 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and nearly 83% from the line over 46 games. Shifted between starter and sixth man, thriving as a connector in the Heat’s motion offense. His best game came on February 5 vs. Philadelphia: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists. Unfortunately, his season ended early with a fractured right hand.

Why the Hype Now?

Despite being sidelined, the buzz around Jović has grown in 2025. A few reasons stand out:

  • Breakout Flashes: A 24-point playoff performance against Cleveland in April showed he can rise to big moments.
  • International Play: His work with Serbia — including games alongside Nikola Jokić — has validated his ability to run offense at a high level. First Euro Basket game, 18 PTS 4 REB 6 AST 1 STL 6/8 FGM (75 FG%) 3/4 3PM (75 3P%) 3/3 FTM (100 FT%) +36.
  • Heat Optimism: With roster turnover and head coach Erik Spoelstra praising his development, Jović is viewed as a potential cornerstone for Miami’s next era.
  • Modern Fit: In an NBA dominated by versatile forwards, Jović’s blend of size, handle, and shooting fits the archetype of players like Franz Wagner or Jayson Tatum.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on Nikola Jović:

“He’s had a couple nice games early for Serbia… I think there’s a real good chance he could be the starting four for the HEAT this season.”

Spoelstra on Nikola Jović’s Progression:

“Where he was as a rookie to who he’s becoming now — it’s night and day. The work ethic, the professionalism, the consistency… that’s why I’m encouraged.”

Challenges Ahead

The hype is real, but the next step requires addressing a few key gaps:

  • Durability: Staying healthy for a full season is priority number one.
  • Self-Creation: His pull-up shooting remains inconsistent, and he needs tighter handles to take on more primary creation duties.
  • Strength & Defense: Adding muscle could help him finish through contact and guard bigger wings.

2025–26 Projection via Basketball Reference

According to Basketball Reference’s projections, Jović is expected to average per-36 numbers of 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 46.8% shooting from the field, 38.6% from three, and 81.1% from the line. For a 22-year-old still carving out his role, this would represent a major leap forward in efficiency and production. If realized, it would cement his place as a key piece in Miami’s rotation and validate the growing hype surrounding him.

Final Word

Nikola Jović is not yet a star, but the ingredients are there. Miami’s development track record, paired with his modern skillset, makes him one of the most intriguing young forwards in the league. His presence will reshape the Heat’s rotation — allowing Kel’el Ware to thrive as a high-impact bench piece and giving Miami added size across all lineups. Just as importantly, Jović has shown he can work seamlessly next to Bam Adebayo, creating one of the more versatile frontcourt pairings in the East. If he can stay healthy and continue refining his game, the hype might soon feel justified — and the Heat may have found their next cornerstone.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: A’ja Wilson should have the lead for the MVP crown

/0 Comments/in , /by

Napheesa Collier returned from her seven-game absence (ankle), dicing coverages with jumpers and runners, reminding everyone that she was the MVP front-runner before her injury in the Minnesota Lynx’s win over the visiting Indiana Fever on Sunday. She racked up 32 points on 68.8% shooting, with nine rebounds plus two offerings and sat down as fewer than two minutes remained. 

 

The Lynx improved to 30-7, six games ahead of the Atlanta Dream, which has the second-best record in the league (24-13). Now with their best player back, the war path resumes for the WNBA championship at full speed.

 

Yet, A’ja Wilson should be in the lead for the MVP crown. The Aces were in the middle of an abysmal season because the team isn’t as strong as the ones of the past few years. They’ve since gone on a 10-game winning streak, leaping to the third seed of 13 teams. Coach Becky Hammon has sent Jewell Loyd to the bench and put Kiersten Bell in the starting lineup, but the biggest difference is that Wilson elevated her play.

 

Wilson is averaging 27 points on 50.3% shooting, with 12.8 rebounds and 2.5 dimes over the 10 straight wins. She’s playing at last year’s record-setting level and if she keeps up her scoring, is going to come close to another 1,000-point season. On top of that, she’s missed six fewer games, and her production is comparable to Collier’s. 

 

 Consider this: The Lynx went 5-2 without Collier because they are stacked at every position. Remove Wilson from the Aces’ lineup for seven straight games, and they probably lose all of them as they are 1-3 without her this season. 

 

Collier is ahead of Wilson in accuracy, logging a 58.5 effective field goal percentage to the latter’s 50.7 EFG%. Yet, Wilson’s team is not as deep, and opponents have more opportunities to load up on her. Furthermore, Wilson scores with less help inside the arc, as those shots are assisted 67.8% of the time, and Collier’s are 80.3%. All of Wilson’s triples are assisted, but she takes 1.4 nightly, making 0.4. Collier attempts 3.6, nailing 1.4 and 97.3% of those are helped.

 

Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021, missing five games, the most by a winner. Yet that was when the season was shorter at 32 games, and she still logged 84.4% of them. Collier has missed 10 this season, and if she doesn’t miss any more, she’ll have recorded 77.3% of the matches. 

 

Wilson is a two-way force who creates overreactions easily. She is first in second chance points (3.9), tied for first with Collier in points off turnovers (4.4) and second in paint points behind Dearica Hamby (12.2). It might be enough to win her fourth MVP trophy in six seasons.

 

Five Reasons Why the Miami Dolphins Should Sign Nik Needham

/0 Comments/in , /by

Former Miami Dolphin Nik Needham was recently released by the Cleveland Browns. Needham spent six seasons in Miami after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2019 out of UTEP, where he played five years for the Miners. He quickly became a key piece of the secondary, starting 11 games as a rookie and 27 over his first four seasons. From 2019–2021, Needham recorded two interceptions each year, showcasing his playmaking ability.

In 2022, Needham suffered a torn Achilles that derailed his career momentum. He’s since battled back, appearing in 12 games between 2023 and 2024, though he was limited to just two games in 2024. Now on the market again, a Dolphins-Needham reunion makes sense. Here are five reasons why:

1. Versatility
Needham can line up at nickel, outside corner, or even safety. With six career interceptions, he’s proven capable of producing wherever he’s placed. His versatility showed again this preseason with Cleveland, Needham continued to showcase his flexibility, lining up across the defensive backfield and earning praise for his instincts. For a Dolphins team that values multi-dimensional players under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Needham’s skill set is a natural fit.

2. Reliable Tackling
Needham has always been a sure tackler. Across his career, he’s made 200 combined tackles while carrying just an 8.7% missed tackle rate. That consistency adds value to any secondary. His ability to wrap up ball carriers, even after his Achilles injury, makes him a dependable option for a Dolphins defense that faced inconsistency in tackling last season. Needham’s technique and effort could stabilize Miami’s back-end rotations.

3. Veteran Experience
Entering his seventh NFL season, Needham brings both experience and resiliency. From undrafted rookie to starter, and now battling back from an Achilles tear, he’s shown the kind of perseverance that coaches respect and teammates rally behind.

4. A Position of Need
The Dolphins’ cornerback room is thin. Depth and versatility are major concerns, and Needham checks both boxes. His likely affordable price tag would also give Miami flexibility to make additional roster moves.

5. Locker Room & Fan Favorite
Needham’s reputation in Miami has always been strong–he’s a competitor, a teammate players respect, and he’s a player fans love to root for. Bringing him back would be a morale boost as well as a football fit.

Bottom Line: Nik Needham’s release from Cleveland is Miami’s opportunity. His versatility, tackling reliability, veteran presence, fit for a thin secondary, and status as a fan and locker room favorite make him a perfect reunion candidate. At 28, he’s still young enough to contribute meaningfully, and his affordable price tag aligns with the Dolphins’ roster-building strategy. Miami should act quickly to bring back a player who embodies their grit and heart. A Needham reunion isn’t just logical–it’s a homecoming that feels right.

Abass Baraou defeats Yoenis Tellez, becoming the new interim WBA junior middleweight titleholder

/1 Comment/in , /by

Abass Baraou schooled the Cuban prospect Yoenis Tellez, ripping his interim WBA junior middleweight belt, handing him his first loss in a unanimous 12-round decision at Caribe Royale Orlando. Despite close punch outputs from both fighters, the German’s pressure caused frustration, and he delivered the harsher blows, winning his eighth fight in a row.

 

The result taught us that Baraou, who fights like a starving junkyard dog, can run it with the top guys at 154 pounds. Tellez, who was fighting without his usual trainer Ronnie Shields for Edward Jackson, still has lots to learn before he’s ready for prime time. One of his problems was switching out of stances at least multiple times, looking for answers as his foe kept coming.

 

Baraou stood in his corner at the end of round three as Tellez sat in his after three minutes of getting walked down and pieced with hooks, a few jabs plus uppercuts to the face and midsection.

 

The fight had moments, evolving into a street brawl, but Baraou won most of those exchanges. He had little to no respect for what was coming his way, delivering a combined 101 power shots between rounds five and 10 as his younger rival landed 94, per CompuBox.

 

Tellez appeared to be losing steam from the brutal shots he had taken, which included getting caught with three big left hands and a hard right at the end of round nine. But his best stretch came in the 10th and 11th.

 

Still, a knockdown wouldn’t have been enough to save the Cuban, as he was down too far on the judges’ scorecards. He needed a knockout, but Baraou unleashed a few combinations in the 12th and knocked him down as he tried to escape off the ropes. There wasn’t time left for retaliation.

 

The judges scored 116-111, 117-110 and 115-112 for Baraou, the new interim WBA champ. Then Xander Zayas, the WBO titlist at the 154-pound division, stepped into the ring for a friendly face-off with the winner.

 

On Sept. 13, Terence Crawford, who is the reigning titleholder, will be stripped, according to WBA president Gilberto J. Mendoza, first reported by Dan Rafael of Fight Freaks Unite.

 

After the fight, Baraou said, “It’s an incredible moment for me. I’ve been waiting so long for this moment, and I’m just grateful.” He vowed to keep going and chase the next challenges.

 

Additionally, on the Most Valuable Promotions fight night card:

 

-Ariel Perez  beat Chris Avila in a six-round unanimous decision at light heavyweight (175 pounds). He dominated early, but underwhelmed in the last two rounds. When asked who he wanted next, he said former UFC star Nate Diaz.

 

-Lucas Bahdi defeated Roger Gutierrez by unanimous decision in 12 rounds. He scored a knockdown in round six.

 

-Despite going down 25 seconds into the fight, Stephanie Han made easy work of Paulina Angel, defending the WBA lightweight title.

 

-And the main event between Yankiel Rivera and Angelino Cordova was a draw.